OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions On Chippers, Mulchers, Shredders & Stump Grinders Petrol Chippers, Mulchers & Shredders Shredding Palm fronds.

Evening Folks,

I've just spent the afternoon stuffing seriously large Alexander palm fronds into my recently aquired (second hand) 8.5 hp Greenfield shredder. Yes, dear readers, I bought a greenfield .

I've quickly formed the conclusion that I'm asking way too much of the machine. The palm fronds are seriously big. The palms in question are more than twice the height of the house. And there are many of them. I'm only trying to shred the 'leafy' part of the frond and not the fibrous bit that attaches to the trunk - Geenfield say not to try to shred the fibrous part.

My question is, what else would I use? I'm considering a power upgrade of this machine (13hp) ?? Or would another brand of machine be better suited? I'm a little wary of flail shredders for palm fronds based on stuff I've read. Suggestions please.

Please note I'm not bagging the machine. I'm simply asking way too much of it.

All comments gratefully received.

Cheers,

I think you are asking too much prd.

My view is that if the engine struggles then the level of build
(how heavy duty) will also come into play.

I hope a member will have experience in palm leaf shredding.

------------------------
Jack

We have, as part of our olive operation, a 3 point linkage, PTO driven chipper from our friends in China.

It has a 6inch feed chute, copes really easily with olive trunks and branches up to that diameter.
It struggles with palm fronds - mainly because of the fibrous natire of the entire thing. The "stalk" is densely fibrous, but even the fronds are just narrower fibrous bastards!

Only solution we've come up with is to feed a couple of smallish, solid branches into the maw after each couple of palm fronds. Seems to clear the crap out of the cutting area and avoids clogging of the "feed out" chute.
Dunno how that will work with a smaller unit, though!

Really good luck with the fronds - IF the fronds get too numerous, we shove them onto a burn pile and hit them with a match. (works out in the boonies - not so much in the cities!)

Easy prd.........
I cut up neighbours 14 ft long palm fronts and put in my fire pit, or burner......
With a cane knife......razor sharp on a block of wood.....
Then cut the palm trees down........
When I first arrived at my hose, two palms in front..... All I had was a electric drill and a 14 mm cutter bit. Drilled about 6 holes across the trunk...... timber......................
speedy